TUC Programme

Other courses

Course summary

TUC Education develops and provides student materials for all TUC courses. These are regularly reviewed, revised and rewritten with the active involvement of practicing trade union studies tutors and TUC policy experts. Evidence of learning achievement is recorded and students receive regular and appropriate feedback.

Time off to learn  

Union representatives who wish to attend TUC courses in working time should first ask their employer for time off with pay. The Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 section 168 and the Safety Representatives & Safety Committee Regulations 1977 give accredited union and safety representatives a legal right to reasonable time off with pay to attend courses approved by the TUC or their union. Guidance towards establishing what constitutes reasonable time off can be found in the ACAS Code of Practice.  

The role of the union learning representative has been boosted by new legal rights to time off for training contained in the Employment Relations Act 2001. Nearly 15,000 union learning representatives have already been trained.  

Representatives who find difficulty in obtaining paid time off to attend TUC courses should seek assistance from their senior union representative or full time union officer.

For further information contact your regional education and training officer. 

Time off to learn for distance or online learning  

Online learning should not be seen as an alternative to paid release from work. The law still applies, whether learning takes place away from work or in work, at a workstation or in a company learning centre. For details of TUC courses that are available online contact Craig Hawkins on 020 7079 6947 or email chawkins@tuc.org.uk 

All access needs will be met where reasonably practicable. You should inform the appropriate course providers of any specific requirements at the earliest opportunity.